Wow! Thanks for all of your responses. A lot of great feedback to consider. The ride in this car is like a limo. The interior is "Good" but not great. I need the friction discs replaced in the trans but other than that, it's running perfect now after all my DIY repairs. It just seems to have a new, PITA issue, every other day lately. I talk to her all the time and tell her to "hang in there" and "keep being a good girl" :) The only things I can think of that can happen next are the transmission (I will pay someone in the OC , Ca. area to change these out due to no garage or tools for this job if interested), A/C, Smog Pump, Power Steering Pump, or computer going out. I have a rattle noise from the rear tire area happening when I go over bumps but can't feel or see anything that is loose. I get a lot of compliments on the body and paint job. Here she is...

Flex discs? They are pretty simple and not too spendy. Figure a high mile FWD car needed CV axles or a high mile RWD needing u-joints.

PS pump is super easy to reseal. The kit is about $4.

A/C compressor on the M103 is a good design, just do not run it with no oil and it will live for years and years.

Check the shocks and sway bar links if it came with a rear bar... not sure if the 300E did or not.

Rattle in the rear is probably parking brake assembly, broken retainer pin or spring. ECU is <$50, no reason to buy a new one. Smog pump can easily be bypassed and shorter belt installed if it fails. It does not affect emissions except for the first 2 minutes on cold startup. The M103 is a clean burning engine even without EGR equipment.

What is the "anti-rattle" spring for the rear of the car? It's a part that's available for the 300E.

Not for the rear.

New e-brake kit with hardware for the rear for both sides is <$40. 1244200720

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/hir...1624302VCO.JPG

John...That is a good deal for all of that! I will take off the back wheels this weekend and see if I need that. Here is the part I'm talking about...

http://www.*********.com/catalog/1991/mercedes/300e/brake/anti_rattle_spring.html

Steve

BTW...where can I order that kit from?

That may be the same clip for the rear flex disc. Picture is the same as the one I pulled up for the front.

Allparts express has the parking brake kit (Meyle) for $29 actually, LOL! Search for part number MBZ085920.

Awesome! I'll try to adjust them first and if not, for $35.00, might as well put the new ones in!

I have thought the same exact thing: Almost every weekend I'm working on my car (its the only one I've got), But I look at it this way, I bought the car and so it is mine, no payments. Now, I might fix something here or there for <$100 or I may have a major issue like water pump
±~$150 + time, but at least I know that I will not be making that $450+ car payment every single month. 3 or for of those payments and I could have my tranny rebuilt (which I need, as I've lost/losing reverse). But look at it this way, your car may have a Kelly Blue Book monetary value, but I'm sure it would be worth a lot more to you if you suddenly found yourself without it. Keep the car

Steve, the anti-rattle spring goes under the retaining pins for the brake pads and prevents them from rattling, thus the name. The front brake pads have an anti-rattle spring too.

Have never replaced one on any of our MB automobiles. That part should last indefinitely. When replacing brake pads I use a wire brush to remove brake pad dust build-up.

Ah...now I recognize it Ferdman! You are correct! Thank you!.

My rule of thumb is that if the car is solid and looks good then I fix it. I look at the replacement cost vs the market value. My 420SEL is a good example of a car that is really worthless on the open market, but it gives me good service and has much life left in it at 150k miles. Now, I diy all repairs, and I don't mind using good used parts, that's what makes it affordable for me.

The 420 is getting new fuel pumps, fuel pump relay, and a EHA valve this weekend. That's about $450 in parts(all new and German made) and free labor. I really could get by with one fuel pump and a used EHA, but I always look at the complete system when I do any repairs to avoid constant issues. Now, if I had to pay a shop to do this repair, I'm sure I would spend $1300 or more.

Last month, I did guide rod joints, wheel bearings, and front calipers. I spent about $300 in parts and since it's Florida car, the whole job was easy as pie. I fully expect to get 80k to 100k out of these repairs so in my
mind it was money well spent.

The key is to not get overwhelmed, make a list of needed repairs and consider good used parts if the situation dictates it.

New cars aren't the answer, I bought a ML320 new in 2000. It has 40k miles and needs new rear springs(broken), they are not cheap(list for $380 ea.). While crawling under and around it, I noticed that many parts are sourced in Mexico and the US. So I doubt it will have the service life of the W126.

Sometimes playing catchup is expensive....Just the way it is. But you must realize that if you "spread" the work out, it seems like it "never" ends, but in reality most people pay Joe Smoe to do it all over a course of a week, at a huge expense of course.

Stick with it. No car is an investment, so removing yourself completely away from the "hidden cost" of depreciation is a great thing. You know these older benz's will no longer depreciate, so all your costs are the maintenance.

Just wondering reading over some of these posts...do you guys really spend every weekend working on the car? No car I've ever owned, even the POSes have required that much maintenance! Personally I think thats nuts for anything but a project car (read: antique/classic in restoration).